sneak peek: “kucica” croatian cottage

“kucica” in croatian means “small house.” this quaint cottage belongs to iva and vanja and is located in zagorje, croatia (15 miles from the capital of zagreb). the area is known for its preserved idyllic nature, rivers, old castles, and as the excavation site of a 100,000 year old neanderthal man (trivia!). the cottage itself is a traditional wooden cottage which is about 100 years old, but was moved to this location around 20-30 years ago. it was love at first sight when iva and vanja first discovered the cottage, but it was in poor shape and needed some tlc. throughout their renovations the goal was to preserve and respect as much of the original beauty as possible.enjoy the full sneak peek below, and click here for additional images! {thanks john, iva and vanja!} –anne

[Our escape from the city and later favorite weekend destination for our friends and travelers either as a sanctuary from modern life or a base for exploring the area. We also have a small orchard (with apples, peaches, oaks), and grow a small organic garden where we grow tomatoes, onions, peppers, peas, strawberries, raspberries, spices, etc].

The old sewing machine from an antique shop was turned into writing table.

Some of the found old furniture was restored, like this wonderful yellow cupboard.

This green cabinet was also restored. We tried to keep simple, basic colors to emphasize the simplicity of peasant life and our determination to take this journey and explore the times when life was simpler and maybe even more beautiful and healthier.

The blue kitchen cupboard was gift from our neighbors who are a huge help in our garden. We also grow organic vegetables by the cottage.

CLICK HERE for the rest of the croatian cottage sneak peek after the jump!

The living room is also a bedroom. The beds are over hundred years old, repainted and covered with beautiful peasant homemade linen.

How cool is that?!
And Hvar lavender – I spent the most wonderful boating holiday around the islands last autumn and brought back delicious lavender honey, mmmhh… ;)
PS you want my 250 yr old Swiss home on d*s?!

I have never dreamed about owning a cottage, but this one, tucked inside of the hillside and with the awesome landscape behind it, I think I will dream about it now! I too love the primary colors for the furniture. What a great way to use nature to inspire the decor for their cottage!

Just Beautiful! This took me back to my days as an AFS exchange student in Croatia. I spent time in this dream-like, forest region. I get so tired of people saying that E. Europe is depressing. It’s really so lovely.

Wonderful surprise to see a Sneak Peak from only a few km from where I live! Owning a little kucica like this on the hills of Zagorje is our dream and this is just a little nudge for us to keep working in that direction! Thank you! :-)

I am so proud of my country, come and discover the gold Slavonia, Zagorje hills, forests and water of Lika, and the beautiful coast of Istria, Dalmatia, Kvarner and its more than 1000 islands …pls. watch… http://youtu.be/TXnqbYJGUkQ

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